
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 10USC8742]

 
                         TITLE 10--ARMED FORCES
 
                          Subtitle D--Air Force
 
                           PART II--PERSONNEL
 
                   CHAPTER 857--DECORATIONS AND AWARDS
 
Sec. 8742. Air Force cross: award

    The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, 
with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any 
capacity with the Air Force, distinguishes himself by extraordinary 
heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor--
        (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United 
    States;
        (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with 
    an opposing foreign force; or
        (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an 
    armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United 
    States is not a belligerent party.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 540; Pub. L. 86-593, Sec. 1(1), July 
6, 1960, 74 Stat. 331; Pub. L. 88-77, Sec. 3(2), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 
94.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
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---------------------------------
            Revised section                      Source (U.S. Code)            
   Source (Statutes at Large)
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---------------------------------
8742..................................  10:1406.                             Ju
ly 9, 1918, ch. 143 (9th par.
                                                                              u
nder ``Ordnance Department''), 40
                                                                              S
tat. 870.
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---------------------------------

    The words ``but not in the name of Congress'' are omitted as 
surplusage, since a medal is presented in the name of Congress only if 
the law so directs. The words ``since the 6th day of April, 1917'' are 
omitted as executed. The word ``award'' is substituted for the word 
``present'' to cover the determination of the recipients as well as the 
actual presentation of the medal, and to conform to other sections of 
this chapter. The words ``or herself'' are omitted, since, under section 
1 of title 1, words importing the masculine gender include the feminine. 
The words ``or who shall hereafter distinguish'' are omitted as 
surplusage.


                               Amendments

    1963--Pub. L. 88-77 enlarged the authority to award the Air Force 
cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished 
themselves in connection with military operations against an armed 
enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying the 
award of a medal of honor, while engaged in military operations 
involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with 
friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing 
armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
    1960--Pub. L. 86-593 substituted ``Air Force cross'' for 
``Distinguished-service cross'' in section catchline, and substituted 
``an Air Force cross'' for ``a distinguished-service cross'' in text.


References to Distinguished-Service Cross and Soldier's Medal Considered 
               Made to Air Force Cross and Airman's Medal

    Section 3 of Pub. L. 86-593 provided that: ``References that other 
laws, regulations, and orders make, with respect to the Air Force, to 
the distinguished-service cross and the Soldier's Medal shall be 
considered to be made to the Air Force cross and the Airman's Medal, 
respectively.''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 8748 of this title.
